What is social institution and the social institution definition? Social institutions in modern society aim to create a structure, although each society may differ in the structure of these social institutions. For example, in a socialist country like China, there is government control over other social institutions. There is less government control over certain social institutions in capitalist countries like America, or the control is different.
Most societies have the five (5) leading social institutions:
- Family
- Economy
- Religion
- Education
- Government or State
Each social institution has different objectives and prescribes different social roles. Institutions have their own cultural symbols that have endured over time. For example, educational institutions like universities or schools have their own flag, mascot, and identity. Government institutions have their own flags, customs, and procedures that citizens follow and adhere to as part of their alliance.
Societies worldwide may have a different hierarchy of social institutions that influence their culture and daily life. In certain parts of the United States, there is evidence that religious institutions influence their educational institutions. The influence is seen in curriculum choices (what can and can not be taught), social expectations, and even available schooling options.
Students in the United States will have different educational experiences based on where they live due to:
- local government institution control
- the economics of the area they live in
- the educational institutions that exist (private, charter, or religious schools)
Below are the 5 basic social institutions examples and their functions:
The Family
The family institution is generally regarded as the primary social institution, and the family is the basic unit in society. There are multiple functions performed, and it is necessary for survival and well-being.
The main goals of the family institutions include:
- Protecting children
- Nurture children with love
- Socialize children with social skills
- Teaching life skills and how to function in society
From a very young age, children learn socialization and skills from their families. These families may include traditional nuclear families such as two heterosexual parents and children, multi-generational families that include grandparents, blended families that have step-parents/step-siblings, and same-sex couples. Families can consist of biological members or adopted children and extended family members. The diversity of families have grown due to changes in society, customs, and expectations from other social institutions.
Consider religious institutions or government/state institutions that do not all recognize same-sex couples as families or approve legally of their marriages. Changes in government/state institutions and laws have changed how citizens in the United States view families. That is not necessarily the same around the world.
In particular more collective versus individualist cultures, such as in the United States, the family has significant influence, and individuals avoid disgracing the family or breaking the family norms. Regardless of collective or individualist societies, survival and supporting a family are essential, so economic institutions are necessary for society.
Economic Institutions
Economic institutions have two things it refers to in their role in society. The first is that in modern societies, specific agencies, both governmental/state and private, are charged with keeping track of data and studying the economic health of nations. The second is the structures that are part of society, for example, banks, competitive markets, and property rights.
Economic institutions work in modern society to ensure the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Government/state institutions also influence economic systems.
Capitalists rely on a free-market or laissez-faire approach with little government intervention. Production of goods and services are based on supply and demand, including the cost for goods and services. Socialist economic models could be either partially or fully regulated and controlled by the government/state institution. The government/state plans the economic production of goods and services and may have strict regulations and limitations, known as the planned economy.
There are economic institutions such as in the United States; the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is charged with collecting taxes, and the government/state then uses those taxes to fund the country. Along with local nation-specific economic institutions, worldwide economic institutions such as the WTO (World Trade Organization) and the IMF (International Monetary Fund). The WTO was formed as a global international organization dealing with international trade rules among countries, mainly to avoid trade disputes interrupting international trade.
Countries and societies are evaluated on their countries' wealth and overall economics, but social institutions support the individuals in society, not just supporting financially. One of those social institutions is religion.
Religious Institutions
From early human history, religious beliefs have provided answers for unanswerable questions and the meaning of life and death. As societies have changed and moved into modern societies, religious institutions have changed but maintained a vital purpose for many communities and individuals.
Their function in society provides stability and function, including a unified system of beliefs, symbols, norms, and specific rituals that guide the human behavior of the community that belongs to the religious institution. Often belonging to a religious institution unites individuals and believers into a community- even within other communities. For example, an individual may belong to a specific religious institution and live in a large city part of a larger country with its own social institutions that guide structure and stability. Sometimes these beliefs may even clash.
Religious institutions usually have monuments of worship such as churches, temples, and mosques. The norms and beliefs of religious institutions must follow specific rules to be accepted by the community's people. In some cases, if followers break certain norms, they will face the consequences of being shunned as an outcast. Religious institutions in history have been a powerful force in society. In some countries in the world, they still maintain their power over the social lives and well-being of the community.
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Often the religious institution is an extension of the family institution because most individuals follow the religious paths of their family members and even extended family. In some countries such as India, individuals' and families' religious institutions or beliefs may impact politics, earning potential, or standard of living.
Although the norms and practices may differ, religious institutions serve a purpose for families, individuals, and sometimes education and state/government institutions. Historically, many countries developed laws and norms based on religious beliefs, and the religious installation that was in power provided the rules for individuals to follow. There are numerous religions throughout the world, including Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. They offer different practices and norms for their followers.
Religious institutions provide beliefs, values, and community to their members. Some religious institutions cross over to other institutions such as the family and educational institutions.
Educational Institutions
Educational institutions in modern society are responsible for systematically transmitting knowledge, skills, and cultural values. These institutions are usually formally organized structures that are predictable from generation to generation. All nations globally have some educational institutions, although the systems vary, as do beliefs and values.
Educational institutions provide opportunities in a systematic approach to learn scientific knowledge, develop skills, acquire values and learn about a collective consciousness. Although mastery of curriculum (lessons) is essential, students also learn to interact with other peers and teachers. Through that learning process, the approved norms and behaviors of a community are reinforced. These are often referred to as the hidden curriculum. Schools as social institutions reinforce or sometimes conflict with the family's teachings of other important social institutions.
Educational institutions vary in geographical areas and communities. For example, students in the United States may participate in public, private, religious, or even homeschooling. Each type of schooling is part of the educational institution but will vary in rules, norms, values, and what is taught or not taught.
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Most families in the United States rely on educational institutions for education for their children. They need a place to send children so parents can work and participate in the economy, as well as they believe it is necessary for future success.
Most educational institutions cannot just do what they would like to do in their classrooms because a government/state institution regulates schools. Educational institutions in the United States have a regional Department of Education for the state level. There is a U.S. Department of Education in charge of the entire United States. They set rules and laws that pertain to the certification of educators, the curriculum provided, and other safeguards.
The State
The state or government, depending on where you reside in the world, are mighty institutions in society. They exert their power over all the other social institutions discussed. For example, the state may have laws that regulate marriages, divorces, adoption, and even inheritance of estates. Modern societies believe government entities or the state are essential to society and an important social institution.
The state's authority extends to all social institutions, and norms of society typically inform the authority. Governments or the state differ across the world. There are four main types of governments: democracy, monarchy, authoritarian, and totalitarian. Modern governments that are a democracy embrace the people, influencing their government's decisions, goals, and expectations. They also can change laws and policies they would like their governments to enforce in society. Authoritarian governments usually have one single leader or a small group, and they do not welcome any public participation in the government- this is known as a dictatorship.
Democratic governments are relatively new and are embraced in modern societies, but a monarchy form of government was accepted for a long time. In a monarchy, a single "royal" family rules the country and dramatically influences the government.
Conflict occurs when one social institution challenges the government or state, and reforms or new regulations are based on collective norms and beliefs.
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